Seiling system

ABSTRACT

A ceiling system for the delivery of utilities to a workspace is provided. A plurality of anchors ( 34 ) is connected to a ceiling of a workspace. The anchors are arranged to form a grid. A plurality of substantially vertically extending support members ( 30 ) is attached to the anchors ( 34 ). The support members ( 30 ) are adapted to support a plurality of utilities and a ceiling member ( 12 ).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to a ceiling system. Moreparticularly, the present invention relates to a readily reconfigurableceiling system that supports various functional elements e.g., power anddata delivery elements in a highly organized manner.

2. Background Art

In the space above the head of a worker, conventional drop-down ceilingpanels have been used to conceal various functional structures. Theseceiling panels have also been implemented for various aestheticpurposes. Generally, these ceilings include runners and interconnectingcross-members which support a plurality of ceiling tiles. The ceilingtiles define a space between the architectural ceiling which canaccommodate various functional elements such as power and data elements.These functional elements can be independently routed and structurallyattached to the ceiling of a building. This independent routing of theseelements can lead to a disorganized arrangement of these functionalelements. Moreover, these arrangements of elements may vary frombuilding to building. As a result, easy access to a particularfunctional element can be cumbersome. Moreover, these disorganizedarrangements are not readily reconfigurable to respond to the changingneeds of the building occupants.

There continues to be a need to provide a ceiling system that canreadily respond to the changing needs of building occupants. Inaddition, a ceiling system is needed that can minimize infrastructureand create a more economical and “green” environment. Lastly, the use ofnew technologies now requires that new functional elements, e.g.,wireless communications elements, be implemented in the ceilingenvironment or that previous elements be replaced. Yet, many previousceiling systems failed to readily accommodate such new technologies orthe replacement of outdated functional elements.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to an improved ceiling system thatsupports various functional elements in a highly organized and aestheticmanner.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a ceiling systemfor the delivery of utilities to a workspace is provided. A plurality ofanchors is connected to a ceiling of a workspace. The anchors arearranged to form a grid. A plurality of substantially verticallyextending support members is attached to the anchors. The supportmembers are adapted to support a plurality of utilities and a ceilingmember.

According to another aspect of the invention, a method for the deliveryof utilities in an open plan work environment is provided. The methodincludes securing a plurality of anchors to a ceiling of a workenvironment. The anchors are arranged to form a grid. A plurality ofsupport members is connected to at least some of the anchors. Datacabling is connected to at least some of the support members at asubstantially uniform data point along the support members. Powercabling is connected to at least some of the support members at asubstantially uniform power point along the support members. A ceilingpanel is connected to at least some of the support members.

As used herein the term “connected to” is intended to be interpretedbroadly and to include direct and indirect connections.

The present invention, together with attendant objects and advantages,will be best understood with reference to the detailed description belowin connection with the attached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a ceiling system in accordance with afirst embodiment of the present invention illustrating a power system ina two ceiling panel environment;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a ceiling systemillustration a power system in a single ceiling panel environment;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of various support members interconnected bythe power system;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of various support members interconnected bythe power system and a support rod for use with lighting elements;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the ceiling systemin a building environment with a sloped roof;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a support rod with two differentlighting elements shown attached;

FIG. 7 is a side view of an embodiment of a support member with a dataelement shown in cross-section;

FIG. 8 is a side view of an embodiment of a first connector;

FIG. 9 is a top view of the connector shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a side view of an embodiment of a second connector; and

FIG. 11 is a top view of the connector shown in FIG. 10.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The invention is described with reference to the drawings in which likeelements are referred to by like numerals. The relationship andfunctioning of the various elements of this invention are betterunderstood by the following detailed description. However, theembodiments of this invention as described below are by way of exampleonly, and the invention is not limited to the embodiments illustrated inthe drawings. It should also be understood that the drawings are not toscale and in certain instances details have been omitted which are notnecessary for an understanding of the present invention, such asconventional details of fabrication and assembly. In addition, likeelements have been numbered identically in the different embodiments.

Referring now to the drawings and initially to FIG. 1, a firstembodiment of the ceiling system 10 is illustrated. The ceiling system10 provides a highly organized system for the delivery of utilities,e.g., power and data elements, to a workspace. In addition, the ceilingsystem 10 is readily changeable to suit the needs of occupants of aworkspace and is adaptable for use with new and emerging technologies.The ceiling system 10 includes a lightweight panel member 12 thatextends generally horizontally over the head of a standing worker oroccupant. The panel member 12 is connected to the frame 14. Brackets 16extend outward from the corners of the frame 14 and connect to thesupport members 30. For a further description of the panel members 12,the frame 14 and brackets 16, reference is made to U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. ______, filed on Apr. 4, 2002 in the name ofRobert Insalaco, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated byreference.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 7, the support members 30 are illustrated.The support members 30 are suspended from a top surface, e.g., thearchitectural ceiling of a building. The support members 30 includedanchors 34, suspension cables 36 and support tube 38. The anchors 34 areconnected to the top surface of a building using conventional fasteningtechniques. The anchors 34 include a flat base portion 44 and a curvedportion 46. In a preferred embodiment, the anchors 34 are formed from asteel material. As illustrated in FIG. 1, and will be further describedherein, the anchors 34 are arranged in a matrix or grid with the otherfunctional elements built off selected anchors in order to provide theceiling system 10 in the desired location.

A suspension cable 36 is connected to the curved portion 46 of theanchor 34 and extends downward therefrom. In a preferred embodiment, thesuspension cable 36 is a twisted steel cable adapted to support a loadof at least 500 lbs. The suspension cable 36 passes through a centeringcap 50 connected to the support tube 38. In a preferred embodiment, thesupport tube 38 is formed from a steel material. The support tube 38includes a plurality of apertures 52 aligned along the length of thesupport tube 38. The apertures 52 are preferably cross-drilled toprovide apertures around the support tube 38 at ninety degree angles toone another. The apertures 52 extend along the length of the supporttube and around the support tube 36 in order to provide a range ofpositions for connection to utility or support elements. A set screw 56secures the support tube 38 in a desired location along the suspensioncable 36. In particular, depending on the top surface or architecturalceiling and the type of utility being supported, the support tube 38 mayneed to be positioned at different locations along the suspension cable36.

Referring generally to FIG. 5, an embodiment of the ceiling system 70 isillustrated in a building having a sloped ceiling 72. In the illustratedembodiment, a data delivery system 74 is located on top of the powerdelivery system 76. A utility support rod 78 is positioned beneath thepower delivery system 76. The panel member 12 and frame 14 are connectedbeneath the support rod 78. The ceiling system 70 illustrates thelayered approach to arrangement of utility members of the presentinvention. The layered approach allows workers installing the differentutility elements to be able to independently install each utilitymember. Moreover, the layered approach to the arrangement of utilitiesprovides a highly organized system that is easily reconfigured orupdated as needed by the occupants of a building.

With reference to FIG. 7, an embodiment of the data delivery element 74is illustrated. In particular, a slip 84 is shown attached to thesuspension cable 36. The clip 84 includes fingers 86 that are adapted togrip the suspension cable 36. A cover portion 88 is flexible so as toprovide easy access to the interior of the clip 84 where the data cables89 are located. In a preferred embodiment, the clip 84 is formed from aplastic material.

Referring back to FIGS. 1-5, the power delivery system 76 isillustrated. In the preferred embodiment illustrated, the power deliverysystem 76 is a generally conventional modular four circuit power system.In one embodiment, the power delivery system 76 can be constructed usingportions 90 having a length of approximately ten feet. However, as thoseskilled in the art will recognize, various lengths may be provided. Thepower delivery system 76 includes conventional connectors 92 forconnection to functional elements such as lighting elements 100 or 102(as illustrated in FIGS. 2, 4, 5 and 6) or for the delivery of power ofthe base surface through the pole 104 (as illustrated in FIG. 5). Asbest seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, the connectors 92 include a plurality ofplugs 94 for connection to a mating plug 95 extending from thefunctional element such as lighting element 100. A conventional flexconnector 110 (preferably formed from a flexible steel conduit) providesfor the connection of the portions 90 at the support members 30. Thisflex connector 110 is particularly useful when the portions 90 extend atninety degree angles to one another.

FIGS. 8-9 illustrated one embodiment of a connector 140 useful with thepower system 76. The connector 140 is also useful with other elementssuch as support rob 78. Portions 90 of the power system 76 are connectedat bracket 142 to the support member 30. The bracket 142 includes a tubeportion 144 adapted to slide over the support tube 38. A latch 146 isspring loaded 148 so as to cause the pin 150 to engage a selectedaperture 52 along the length of the support tube 38.

Referring back to FIGS. 1, 2 and 4-6, the utility support rod 78 isillustrated. The support rod 78 is useful to support utilities such asthe lighting elements 100, 102 or other utilities such as displays orother elements being attached above the head of a user. The support rod78 provides a support surface for the support of the elements requiredby various building/electrical codes. The lighting element 100 is a lowvoltage halogen lighting element in the illustrated embodiment. Thelighting element 102 is a fluorescent lighting element in the embodimentillustrated in FIGS. 5-6.

FIGS. 10-11 illustrate another embodiment of a connector 200 useful atintermediate locations along the ceiling system 10. The connector 200includes a bracket portion 202 adapted to partially surround the supporttube 38. A pin 206 is sized to engage one of the apertures 52 in orderto secure the assembly in the desired location.

During installation of the ceiling system 10, a worker would lay amatrix of grid anchors 34 on the top surface or ceiling above theworkspace. Depending upon the desired location and arrangement of theceiling system 10, an installer would connect support members 30 asnecessary to provide the ceiling system 10 in the desired location. Bylaying a matrix, additional support members 30 may be easily provided asneeded. In addition, in the event the occupants of a building desire adifferent use for the workspace, the matrix allows installers to readilyreconfigure the ceiling system 10 as necessary.

The embodiments described above and shown herein are illustrative andnot restrictive. The scope of the invention is indicated by the claimsrather than by the foregoing description and attached drawings. Theinvention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing fromthe spirit of the invention. For example, other adjustment mechanismsmay be used with the partitions of the present invention. In addition,the particular shapes of the partition members could be varied whilestill achieving the required functionality. Accordingly, these and anyother changes which come within the scope of the claims are intended tobe embraced herein.

1. A ceiling system for the delivery of utilities to a workspace,comprising: a plurality of anchors attached to a ceiling of a workspace,the anchors arranged to form a grid; a plurality of substantiallyvertically extending support members attached to the anchors, thesupport members adapted to support a plurality of utilities and aceiling member.
 2. The ceiling system of claim 1 wherein the pluralityof utilities include data cabling and power cabling.
 3. The ceilingsystem of claim 2 wherein the power cabling has a modular conduit. 4.The ceiling system of claim 3 wherein the support members furthersupport an additional functional element.
 5. The ceiling system of claim4 wherein the additional functional element comprises a lightingfixture.
 6. The ceiling system of claim 5 wherein the ceiling membercomprises a cable attached to the anchor and a tube surrounding at leasta portion of the cable.
 7. The ceiling system of claim 6 wherein eachsupport member comprises a cable attached to the anchor and a tubesurrounding at least a portion of the cable.
 8. The ceiling system ofclaim 7 wherein the tube includes a plurality of apertures.
 9. Theceiling system of claim 8 wherein the tube includes a locking elementadapted to fix the tube in a selected position along the cable.
 10. Theceiling system of claim 9 wherein the data and power cabling areremoveably secured to the support members.
 11. The ceiling system ofclaim 10 wherein a lower portion of the cabling includes a hook.
 12. Theceiling system of claim 11 whreein the utilities are adapted to extendalong the grid without substantially extending into an interior area.13. The ceiling system of claim 12 wherein the power cabling includes apower access device.
 14. The ceiling system of claim 13 furthercomprising a flexible harness with a modular plug connected to the poweraccess device.
 15. The ceiling system of claim 14 wherein the flexibleharness is connected to a powered device.
 16. The ceiling system ofclaim 15 wherein the powered device is a lighting fixture.
 17. Theceiling system of claim 15 wherein the powered device is a display. 18.The ceiling system of claim 17 further comprising a lighting supportmember connected to at least two support members, the light fixturebeing connected to the lighting support member.
 19. The ceiling systemof claim 18 further comprising a mounting bracket that connects thelighting support member to the support member.
 20. The ceiling system ofclaim 19 further comprising a power pole connected to the ceiling systemadapted to provide power to a base surface.
 21. A method for thedelivery of utilities in an open plan work environment, comprising:securing a plurality of anchors to a ceiling of a work environment, theanchors being arranged to form a grid; connecting a plurality of supportmembers to at least some of the anchors; connecting data cabling to atleast some of the support members at a substantially uniform data pointalong the support members; connecting power cabling to at least some ofthe support members at a substantially uniform power point along thesupport members; and connecting a ceiling panel to least some of thesupport members.
 22. The method of claim 20 further comprising the stepof connecting the data cabling and power cabling at different heights.23. The method of claim 20 further comprising the step of connecting theceiling panel at a height generally lower than the data cabling and thepower cabling.
 24. The method of claim 22 further comprising the step ofconnecting a powered device to the support members.
 25. The method ofclaim 23 further comprising the step of connecting a powered lightfixture.
 26. The method of claim 24 further comprising the step ofconnecting a powered display.
 27. The method of claim 25 furthercomprising the step of connecting a power access device to the powercabling in order to provide power to a powered device.